If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your love of wine into a profession—or simply deepening your understanding of what’s in your glass—there’s never been a better time to start. Across the country, exceptional wine schools and university programs are helping students master everything from viticulture and winemaking to wine service and sensory science. Whether you’re looking for an academic degree, a sommelier-level certification, or an evening tasting class, there’s a program near you.
Below, you’ll find an overview of wine schools by state, highlighting standout programs that shape the next generation of wine professionals.
Alabama
Alabama’s growing wine scene is supported by the Alabama Wine Academy, which offers structured classes for beginners and professionals alike. Students can explore foundational wine knowledge, beverage service, and food pairing through a regional lens that reflects the Southeast’s emerging wine culture.
Arizona
Arizona’s modern wine industry began in the 1970s, when Dr. Gordon Dutt, a soil scientist at the University of Arizona, proved that high-altitude desert regions—particularly Sonoita and Willcox—could produce quality grapes. His research and later partnership with winemaker Al Buhl led to the founding of Sonoita Vineyards in 1983, marking Arizona’s first bonded winery and setting the stage for the industry’s growth.
California
No state rivals California for wine education opportunities. The Napa Valley College Viticulture & Enology Program remains a top choice for students who want to study winemaking at the heart of America’s most famous wine region. Nearby, Santa Rosa Junior College offers respected coursework in vineyard management and sensory evaluation, while California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) blends agricultural science with business insight.
Private and professional options also abound. Learn About Wine School in Los Angeles (formerly WineLA) offers certification courses and consumer classes, while The Wine House and Neptune School of Wine provide serious study programs for trade professionals seeking advanced credentials.
Colorado
Colorado’s altitude and growing number of vineyards have inspired several excellent education programs. The Grappolo Food & Wine School and Southeastern Beverage Education both offer classes geared toward hospitality and wine service. The International Wine Guild, headquartered in Denver, provides formal certification programs recognized throughout the United States and beyond.
Connecticut
Connecticut’s modern wine industry began with the Connecticut Farm Winery Act of 1978, which encouraged small producers to bottle and sell their own wines. Today, more than 40 wineries line the state’s rolling hills, from the coastal vineyards of Stonington to the Litchfield Hills—and education has kept pace with that growth.
Florida
Florida’s connection to wine dates back to the 16th century, when Spanish settlers planted grapes near St. Augustine—the first recorded viticulture in what would become the United States. While the state’s tropical climate limits large-scale grape growing, it has become an important center for wine education and hospitality training.
Idaho
Idaho’s wine industry has grown from a small cluster of vineyards in the 1970s to a dynamic community stretching across the Snake River Valley, Eagle Foothills, and Lewis-Clark Valley. Early producers like Ste. Chapelle demonstrated that volcanic soils and high-elevation sunlight could yield distinctive wines, inspiring new generations of growers and educators.
Illinois
Illinois’s wine story is one of renewal. The state’s first vineyards took root in the 1800s along the Mississippi River near Nauvoo, but Prohibition wiped nearly all of them out. The industry didn’t reemerge until the 1980s, when the Illinois Grape and Wine Resources Council began promoting vineyard restoration and winemaker training.
Kansas
Kansas may be better known for wheat than wine, but grape growing has deep roots here.
Before Prohibition, Kansas was one of the Midwest’s leading wine-producing states, with hundreds of acres under vine. When statewide prohibition arrived in 1881—decades before the rest of the country—it destroyed the industry for nearly a century. Modern winemaking didn’t return until the 1980s, spurred by changes in alcohol laws and university-backed agricultural research.
Maryland
Maryland’s wine education scene is anchored by Maryland Wine Schools, a group of instructors and industry professionals offering wine appreciation and certification courses across the state. The growing number of wineries in the region provides students with valuable local tasting experiences and industry connections.
Massachusetts
In New England, Massachusetts stands out as a center for wine appreciation and certification. Local programs often collaborate with national education providers, offering WSET-style courses and regional tasting series. While formal degree programs are limited, Massachusetts Wine Schools and private educators provide accessible paths for enthusiasts to earn recognized credentials.
Michigan
Home to a thriving wine industry along the Great Lakes, Michigan State University offers one of the most respected wine and viticulture programs in the Midwest. Students gain hands-on experience through research vineyards and sensory labs while exploring cold-climate grape varieties unique to Michigan.
Minnesota
Minnesota’s wine industry is built on cold-climate innovation. In the 1980s, researchers at the University of Minnesota began developing hardy hybrid grapes—Frontenac, Marquette, and La Crescent—that could withstand subzero winters. That breakthrough turned the Upper Midwest into one of America’s most dynamic new wine regions, and it made education a key part of the story.
Missouri
Missouri’s wine history runs deeper than nearly anywhere in America. German immigrants settled the Missouri River Valley in the 1830s, founding Hermann and later Augusta, which became the country’s first designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1980. By the late 19th century, Missouri was producing more wine than any other state—until Prohibition brought everything to a halt. When vineyards returned in the 1960s and ’70s, so did the need for serious wine education.
Nevada
Las Vegas may be known for hospitality, but it’s also home to serious wine education. The Wine Academy of Las Vegas offers structured training for hospitality professionals and aspiring sommeliers. Its courses focus on service, blind tasting, and the business side of wine—skills that align perfectly with the city’s world-class restaurant scene.
New Jersey
The NJ Wine School brings professional wine certification programs to the Garden State. With convenient evening and weekend courses, it’s a strong choice for those balancing work and study. Graduates often move into careers in restaurants, distribution, and education throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
New York
New York’s wine scene has long roots — from the vineyards of the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes to the vibrant wine-hospitality culture of New York City. As the industry expanded and professionalized, formal training for wine became more important.
North Carolina
In the South, Vitis House has become a standout. Based in Raleigh, this modern wine school offers advanced wine certifications and workshops on viticulture, tasting technique, and food pairing. Vitis House emphasizes approachability and professional development—making it a great option for both industry newcomers and seasoned beverage professionals.
Oregon
Oregon has long been a leader in sustainable winemaking, and its academic programs reflect that. Linfield University in McMinnville offers degrees in Wine Studies, Viticulture, and Wine Management, with close ties to the Willamette Valley’s renowned wineries. Students benefit from fieldwork, tastings, and internships that bridge the classroom and the vineyard.
Ohio
Ohio’s wine and grape industry has grown alongside the state’s rich viticultural history—especially in the Lake Erie region and northeast “fruit belt.” As wineries expanded, so too did demand for education in grape growing, winemaking, and wine service. One of the standout programs is at Kent State University at Ashtabula, which offers the only wine degree in Ohio: an associate in viticulture and enology.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia remains one of the East Coast’s most dynamic wine education hubs. The Wine School of Philadelphia (and its national affiliate, the National Wine School) offer stackable certifications that build from foundational studies to advanced and master-level credentials. Students learn directly from industry experts, blending sensory science, wine history, and real-world tasting techniques.
Tennessee
Tennessee’s winemaking roots stretch back to the 1800s, when Swiss and German immigrants planted vineyards in the Cumberland Plateau. Like much of the South, the state’s early wine industry was wiped out by Prohibition and didn’t begin its modern revival until the 1980s. Since then, the number of wineries has grown steadily—now exceeding 70—and with it, a strong interest in formal wine education.
Texas
Texas wine is booming, and so is its education network. The Dallas Wine Education Center provides professional-level wine instruction and tasting courses, while the Texas Wine School in Houston offers both introductory and advanced certification programs. In the Hill Country, the Hill Country Wine Academy combines regional vineyard experiences with classroom learning.
Utah
Utah boasts an unexpectedly strong wine education community. The Wine Academy of Utah in Salt Lake City runs professional wine and spirits programs, and the Fox School of Wine / Culinary Wine Institute in Park City offers accessible classes for enthusiasts who want to explore global wine regions. Both emphasize responsible tasting, professional development, and community engagement.
Vermont
The state’s wine industry itself is young but creative. Since the 1990s, Vermont winemakers have embraced cold-hardy hybrid grapes—Frontenac, La Crescent, and Marquette—well-suited to the Green Mountains’ short, cool growing season. The University of Vermont Extension supports this work with vineyard workshops and sustainability research, while a new generation of producers focuses on organic and natural wines that capture the region’s rugged terroir.
Virginia
The Virginia Wine & Spirits Academy has quickly become a major player in the Mid-Atlantic. Based in the heart of Virginia wine country, the school offers a comprehensive range of courses—from beginner tastings to professional certification. Students benefit from immersive, hands-on training and exposure to the region’s rapidly growing wineries.
Washington
Washington’s reputation for serious wine study continues to expand. The Cellar Muse Wine School in Seattle provides structured coursework in wine tasting, service, and global wine regions. Meanwhile, Wine Enthusiast Academy offers flexible online and in-person options that blend convenience with expert-led education.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s wine education scene is developing fast, with Wisconsin Wine Schools leading local instruction. Their programs focus on wine appreciation, pairing, and regional exploration—an ideal entry point for those beginning their wine journey in the Midwest.
Finding the Right Wine School for You
When choosing a wine school, consider your career goals and preferred learning environment. University programs offer deep academic study in viticulture and enology, while professional academies emphasize sensory training, service, and certification. For hospitality workers, local programs can provide immediate career benefits. For enthusiasts, community classes are a rewarding gateway into the world of wine.
Wherever you live—whether it’s a vineyard-lined coast or a city wine bar—there’s a program designed to help you grow your knowledge, refine your palate, and join the vibrant world of wine education.
For a complete overview, see our guide to wine schools and programs